Libellés

Friday, January 30, 2009

Capitalism: the French nightmare

There were several big demonstrations in France today and the largest one, as always, took place in Paris. It ended up at the Opera house where I took this photo. I thought it was pretty funny to take an anti-capitalist billboard in front of two shiny adverts for Rolex and Commerzbank in the background! FYI, the billboard roughly says: "Unrestricted capitalism equals people in danger".

While I was writing this on yesterday's comment page, Tall Gary sneaked in.

Three stories about the demonstrations. On the London Times web page, a photo shows an empty platform at Gare St. Lazare. On the New York Times web page, a photo shows a platform at Gare St. Lazare full of people. Very odd contrast. These two stories said nothing of violence, while the International Herald Tribune says "100 youths clashed with police near the Opera Garnier, hurling various objects."

Comments on the London Times site discussed devoting government money to large corporations versus consumers. One person notes that giving money to consumers will not generate more jobs and spending, whereas giving money to corporations and banks will generate more economic activity. Well, that's one theory, but look what happened in U.S. The federal government gave billions, literally billions to financial institutions with the intent that it would create a pool of lending capital to stimulate borrowing and business creation. The banks took the money and...ate it. No increase in lending has occurred, not stimulation of new business. National Public Radio reported that the first thing the banks did with the money was hire more lobbyists to try to get more government money.

Last night, the BBC was referring to it as a general strike, including both public and private workers, and to expect all sorts of infrastructure disruptions. I was sort of hoping you would stay home and rest...

I think I can see Michael whizzing through the masses on his moto-taxi

It saddens me to see the US's problems trickling over to Europe. We've lost something like 100,000 jobs just this week alone, and nearly every day brings news of more large chains closing stores and factories. It's a desperate situation.

We haven't taken to the streets en mass, yet, but I see it coming. The anger is there.

When I heard on NPR today that French people were in the streets protesting, I knew that Eric would be on the spot and take a great picture of it for us. I love the way the sign is right under the Rolex building.

I don't know much about the whole economic arena, but I do know that even if things are good, you can't expect things to keep growing indefinitely. The global economy has been mostly growing for so long that I think we've forgotten that things have to slow down and shift before they can grow again. We're shifting and trimming off things that don't work, and we need to find ways to cope and change so that growth can start again. I'm no economist, it's just my opinion.

I've been watching it on the BBC. A French man was interviewed - about the pay rise demo - he said it was all at the wrong time but that it 'was typically French'. Then of course he did the French shrug to emphasise.

The picture is great Eric! Do you think the protestors positioned themselves so for the same effect?

I have been looking for you Eric and for Michael zipping through importantly on his motorcycle ride!

With so many noisy demonstrations in Paree, how do you sleep? Do you see much of them from where you are, Eric, Michael or Guille? Annoying or essential?

Hard to comment on this. Unbridled capitalism is probably not a good thing. On the other hand, the whole world has seen that communism doesn't work either... The answer probably lies somewhere in between, with enough freedom of enterprise, not too much government involvement, but some, to a degree. The trick is to find out what involvement is necessary. No easy answers.

Watched film of the demonstration/riot on BBC World News on PBS. Also stories from Zimbabwe, N. Korea, D.R. of Congo, Germany & Britian---news that is not reported on nightly news programs on ABC,NBC or CBS. This is why my friends and I watch BBC World News daily.

I think most of us are caught up in the economic situations in our own countries. I do recall hearing that many folks in England were sinking financially because they'd borrowed from Iceland. We're all sinking in debt.

I personally have not seen much shift in the economy in N. Carolina - still construction here, and no businesses going under that I've noticed, but this is rather a "booming" area.

I love a good demonstration. I wish there were more of them here in the U.S. It's absurd when I think of what Americans let their politicians get away with.It's wonderful to visit here and see what is on everyone's mind too.Thanks Eric.

You've captured the irony perfectly, Eric.And, hey, TG is GF! And thanks, TG, for making me laugh so hard (comme toujours). Don't pretend to understand the subtleties of what's going on here. Will just say that I was recently informed by the Powers That Be that I now have 2 jobs: I'm the copy editor of 2 different magazines. This will present certain challenges, to be sure. On the other hand, I'm very aware that where there used to be two copy editors, there is now only one—and that would be . . . moi (whew). My company has let go about 250 people lately—is there any end in sight? Are the rest of you all right?

The concept of "give them bread and circuses" is translated to "give them junk food and TV" aux Etats-Unis!! If you're not totally pissed off then you aren't paying attention, and it is pretty obvious that millions of people aren't. If things don't start to even out soon demonstrations like this will be an every day occurence. Allocating $819 Billion Dollars to help bail out Financial Institutions by the US Congress is like giving your cow to the wolves after they have eaten all your sheep, just to placate them. Nope...no quick fix here!

I'm so tired of the gov't bailouts and the executives getting their promised bonuses (bonuses for what?) Meanwhile, as Main Street America looks on in wonder...these credit card/financial institutions continue to raise lending interest rates and in some instances are nearly doubling monthly payments for the creditors. It has not gotten better, but worse. More loss of jobs around the next bend I'm afraid and more home foreclosures too. The juxtoposition of this sign with the Rolex and Commerzbank is a nice touch. Now, was it Jeff who mentioned wine? Sounds good. ;-)

Great capture Eric, I knew your sense of humor would prevail. Lots more photos of the demonstrations in Avignon on my blog today - 12,000 people in the streets is no mean feat is that little town. Some pretty good captions in the placards too.

Lynn: SUV is the anagram for Samaritus Umbra Veritas, or somebody who looks like a Good Samaritan but is really hiding in the shadow of truth. Like the television preachers who take lots of money and have sex scandals with gay animals.

Another possible meaning for SUV might be Sport Utility Vehicle, which Sucks Up gasoline, which is controversial as we have to go into debt, damage the planet and plunder foreign countries for such fuel. Or so I've heard.

Lynn. "I want to know what it's like to be in amongst all that Eric." Well, nothing special really. I did not stay very long, just to take the photo. Getting there was a nightmare because of the Police preventing cars - and scooters - to get close the demonstration...

Jeff...That was really funny! Mais..I thought the Preachers were having affairs with Gay Massage Therapists that also sold Crystal Meth as a sideline?? Gotta love their wives for going on TV and saying how much they Love and Forgive them though, probably a lot wiser than moving into a rental.

Hey girls did you notice I got a reply all to myself from Eric? he he! I wasn't going to rub it in, you know, but, well. I just had to wallow in my delight! Giggle. Me. It was just to me. Snigger. I feel blessed. LOL. ;)